Solo Vino's rosé tasting a just-sweet-enough success

Despite a bit of gray in the skies and a weekend packed with events, the fourth-annual Rose Wine Tasting at Solo Vino Wines was a smashing success -- literally. The event kicked off with an honorary glass smashing, followed by owner Chuck Kanski graciously picking up the pieces.

There were 144 wines to sample, and not all were pink.

A Spanish garnacha rosé blend

They poured everything from rose to red, white to bubbly, and drew a record 357 tasters. The guests included top sommeliers, like the always polished Bill Summerville of La Belle Vie, along with chefs such as Patrick Atanalian of Sanctuary.

The rosés sampled were mostly dry, and a few were bubbly. Rosé is made by allowing the dark grape skin to have some contact with the juice. Many of the pours at the tent event were sophisticated wines with complex flavors and nose. One had an odor best described as a burned-out vacuum motor with acidic fruit flavors. Our companion exclaimed, "I like it!" We couldn't get past the smell.

The Borsao rose was a nice dry flavor, with a whisper of the jammy flavor of the garnacha grape. Light and endlessly quaffable, it was a bottle in need of a patio for perfection.

Solo Vino plans to continue to host rosé dinners and events throughout the summer.